THE ROYAL ONE, ORCHID…
A study in the scientific journal Nature has hypothesised that the origin of orchids goes back much longer than originally expected.
An extinct species of stingless bee, Proplebeia dominicana, was found trapped in Miocene amber from about 15-20 million years ago.
The bee was carrying pollen of a previously unknown orchid taxon, Meliorchis caribea, on its wings. T
his find is the first evidence of fossilised orchids to date and shows insects were active pollinators of orchids then.
According to Mark W. Chase et al. (2001), the overall biogeography and phylogenetic patterns of Orchidaceae show they are even older and may go back roughly 100 million years.
Using the molecular clock method, it was possible to determine the age of the major branches of the orchid family. This also confirmed that the subfamily Vanilloideae is a branch at the basal dichotomy of the monandrous orchids, and must have evolved very early in the evolution of the family.
Since this subfamily occurs worldwide in tropical and subtropical regions, from tropical America to tropical Asia, New Guinea and West Africa, and the continents began to split about 100 million years ago, significant biotic exchange must have occurred after this split (since the age of Vanilla is estimated at 60 to 70 million years).
Orchids have symbolised different things to many cultures throughout the ages, but today they represent luxury, maturity, charm, thoughtfulness, and refinement.
Purple Orchid meaning: there is grace and class exuded by this flower. It is considered to be the ROYAL one!
Have a sweet day and thanx for viewing, Magda (*_*)
For more of my other work or if you want to PURCHASE (ONLY PLACE TO BUY MY IMAGES!), VIEW THE NEW PORTFOLIOS AND LATEST NEWS HERE on our website: www.indigo2photography.com
IT IS STRICTLY FORBIDDEN (BY LAW!!!) TO USE ANY OF MY image or TEXT on websites, blogs or any other media without my explicit permission. © All rights reserved
THE ROYAL ONE, ORCHID…
A study in the scientific journal Nature has hypothesised that the origin of orchids goes back much longer than originally expected.
An extinct species of stingless bee, Proplebeia dominicana, was found trapped in Miocene amber from about 15-20 million years ago.
The bee was carrying pollen of a previously unknown orchid taxon, Meliorchis caribea, on its wings. T
his find is the first evidence of fossilised orchids to date and shows insects were active pollinators of orchids then.
According to Mark W. Chase et al. (2001), the overall biogeography and phylogenetic patterns of Orchidaceae show they are even older and may go back roughly 100 million years.
Using the molecular clock method, it was possible to determine the age of the major branches of the orchid family. This also confirmed that the subfamily Vanilloideae is a branch at the basal dichotomy of the monandrous orchids, and must have evolved very early in the evolution of the family.
Since this subfamily occurs worldwide in tropical and subtropical regions, from tropical America to tropical Asia, New Guinea and West Africa, and the continents began to split about 100 million years ago, significant biotic exchange must have occurred after this split (since the age of Vanilla is estimated at 60 to 70 million years).
Orchids have symbolised different things to many cultures throughout the ages, but today they represent luxury, maturity, charm, thoughtfulness, and refinement.
Purple Orchid meaning: there is grace and class exuded by this flower. It is considered to be the ROYAL one!
Have a sweet day and thanx for viewing, Magda (*_*)
For more of my other work or if you want to PURCHASE (ONLY PLACE TO BUY MY IMAGES!), VIEW THE NEW PORTFOLIOS AND LATEST NEWS HERE on our website: www.indigo2photography.com
IT IS STRICTLY FORBIDDEN (BY LAW!!!) TO USE ANY OF MY image or TEXT on websites, blogs or any other media without my explicit permission. © All rights reserved